Houston, Texas-Synagro Technologies, whose reputation was blemished a few years ago when the company was caught up in the Detroit biosolids contract scandal, is under a new chief executive officer and is developing a new image, with emphasis on producing renewable energy by turning waste products into something usable. “We made a hard turn right to address this market,” explained Tom Maestri, who is directing that program. “When Bill Massa took over the company last year we put together a new strategy plan with a number of focus areas, with renewable energy being one of those areas.” Of course Synagro is not giving up on turning wastewaters into fertilizer, but is also looking at new opportunities, such as recovering the methane that contains about 14 million BTUs in each ton that can be captured and used as a fuel. Synagro is very active in FOG (fats, oil, and greases) from wastewater treatment that can be used to offset the need to burn fossil fuels and syngas from gasification processes. The corporate change was also apparent late last month when Massa goodnaturedly took part in the popular TV network reality show Undercover Boss, where executives trade places with frontline workers. As part of his appearance, Massa swapped his business attire for boots, heavy gloves, waterproof slicker, and protective headgear at a Baltimore plant to help with cleaning out a wastewater lagoon. “It’s part of his very personable and outgoing personality,” Maestri commented. “We’ve had a lot of very positive feedback about it.”
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain